Chris Szekely: taking a deep dive into the Turnbull collection

Photo: Supplied

Alexander Turnbull spent the greater part of his life - and his inheritance - growing his library, acquiring books, manuscripts, sketches and other materials relating to life in New Zealand.

At the time of Turnbull’s death in June 1918, the scale of his collection far surpassed those of other collectors of the time. Following his bequest to the people of New Zealand, the Alexander Turnbull Library was opened two years later.

Published to mark 100 years since the establishment of the library, Tu Kupenga celebrates the history of Aotearoa New Zealand through 101 fascinating objects within its collection. Co-author and chief librarian Chris Szekely shares some of these objects and their stories.  
 

In the 1980s Prime Minister David Lange declared New Zealand a nuclear-free zone. Courtesy of Mark Denton and State Library Victoria.

Pistons made by Burt Munro for his racing Indian and Velocette motorcycles.

Publicity for a 'No Maoris — No Tour' protest meeting, Wellington, 1959.

George Nepia was one of New Zealand's first internationally renowned sporting stars.

Long before Twitter came along newspapers were capturing readers’ attention with eclectic snippets of newsy interest. Otago Witness issue 1104, 25th January 1873.